Advancing Circular Economy Cooperation Across the Western Balkans
Budva, Montenegro | 24 June 2026
The first WB6 CIF Working Group meeting under the project “Green Transformation: Circular Economy in the Western Balkans” was held in Budva on 24 June 2026, following the Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).
The meeting brought together partners and experts working to support the region’s transition towards a circular economy through stronger policy frameworks, institutional capacities, and cooperation between public institutions, municipalities, and the private sector.
Building the Foundations for a Regional Circular Economy
The project is implemented by GIZ in cooperation with WB6 CIF, on behalf of the German Government, within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans. It aims to lay the foundations for a regional circular economy by strengthening policy frameworks, building institutional capacities, and fostering cooperation across the region.
The initiative supports the transition from fragmented waste management and linear resource use towards regional circular material flows and circular business models aligned with EU standards. This approach is intended to help the Western Balkans move from isolated actions towards more coordinated, practical, and market-oriented circular economy solutions.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
The meeting opened with a presentation of the project framework and the partnership between GIZ, WB6 CIF, the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).
Participants underlined the importance of cooperation among regional institutions, chambers of commerce, municipalities, and the private sector in order to create the conditions for circular economy implementation. The discussion highlighted that regional coordination is essential for identifying shared priorities, improving data collection, and developing solutions that can be applied across markets and sectors.
Learning from EU Circular Economy Experience
A dedicated session was delivered by Henning Wilts of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, who shared EU experiences in developing circular material flows. His presentation focused on circular strategies, market opportunities, material flow analysis, priority action areas, and examples of circular cities and regions across Europe.
The session provided practical insights into how circular economy approaches can be translated into concrete actions, including the identification of priority materials, the development of circular value chains, and the role of cities and regions in enabling circular transition.
Private Sector Perspective on the Green Transition
Sinisa Mitrovic, circular economy expert from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, presented the private sector perspective on the green transition and circular economy in the Western Balkans. His session covered the shift from linear to circular economic models and the importance of preparing businesses for new regulatory and market requirements.
The presentation addressed key EU regulatory frameworks, including the European Green Deal, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Digital Product Passport. It also covered circularity measurement tools and real-life examples of industrial symbiosis and circular business models.
Next Steps for Circular Material Flows and Business Models
Upcoming activities, presented by Muela Ibrahimi, Director of the Department for Economy and Innovation at the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, will focus on validating the market assessment for three circular material flows, conducting an in-depth analysis of two regional business models, and continuing data collection across the Western Balkans.
The next phase will support evidence-based decision-making and help identify practical opportunities for circular economy development in the region. Priority activities will include:
- validating the market assessment for three circular material flows
- conducting in-depth analysis of two regional circular business models
- continuing regional data collection to support future project activities
- strengthening cooperation between chambers, municipalities, institutions, and businesses
Supporting a More Circular and Competitive Region
The first WB6 CIF Working Group meeting confirmed the importance of coordinated regional action in advancing the circular economy across the Western Balkans. By connecting policy development, institutional capacity building, local government engagement, and private sector expertise, the project supports a more structured pathway towards circular material flows and circular business models.
The discussions in Budva reaffirmed that the green transition can create new opportunities for businesses and communities when supported by aligned policies, reliable data, regional cooperation, and practical solutions that reflect both EU standards and the specific needs of the Western Balkans.
